About
ACS Calvert
We offers U.S. based education in La Paz, fostering excellence and global citizenship.
Our History
In 1955 a group of visionary parents founds a small American-English school with just 6 students and 1 teacher.
What began as a small dream in 1955 has grown into one of Bolivia’s most respected international schools. The American Cooperative School (ACS) has evolved alongside its community, driven by vision, strengthened through challenges, and inspired by a commitment to deliver high-quality, American-style education in La Paz.
Welcome to the American Cooperative School (ACS), a learning community founded in 1955 and committed to providing the highest quality of education to international and Bolivian families in La Paz. We are committed to challenging and inspiring students to be critical thinkers, life-long learners, and responsible world citizens. We believe in a holistic approach to whole-child development that stresses rigorous academic standards, the cultivation of 21st-century skills, and healthy living for all learners in grades PreK3-12.
What differentiates ACS from our neighboring schools is our ability to individualize the educational process to address the unique needs of every student. ACS is an inclusive school that values the unique gifts and talents of each child. We customize and differentiate the learning experiences for our students in and out of class to help them reach their full potential.
As a US and Bolivian accredited school, ACS strives for excellence through continuous improvement initiatives driven by an ambitious strategic plan and well-defined learning principles. As a result, ACS has emerged as the international school of choice in La Paz with 100% of our graduates admitted to their universities of choice around the world.
Our highly qualified staff delivers a US-style curriculum taught in English. Instructional technology is used to enrich and extend everyday instruction and to support the learning process at home. Special services are available for students with mild learning differences and for students with lower levels of English and/or Spanish proficiency.
Parents play an integral role in the education of their children and their willingness to volunteer as active members of our association strengthens our entire community. ACS faculty and staff welcome the opportunity to partner with them in and out of class to further the learning experiences of our students.
ACS is a happy place where students, teachers, and parents develop strong relationships based on mutual respect and a love for learning. Our families view ACS as their second home and the warmth and support of the community is evident at every turn. I invite you to give us a call and arrange a tour, so you can see and feel this for yourself. In the meantime, I hope you will browse the rest of our website to learn more about the Cougar experience! Come visit ACS. We’d love to show you around.
Yours Sincerely,
Andrew Crouse, Ph.D.
1955The Beginning
A group of visionary parents founds a small American-English school with just 6 students and 1 teacher
1956 Structuring the Vision
ACS adopts the Calvert curriculum and begins its journey toward formal academic excellence.
1958Recognition and Expansion
The school is approved as the Cooperative Experimental School and relocates to Calle 13, Calacoto.
1960A Growing Community
Enrollment surpasses 300 students; ACS purchases the current campus with USAID support.
1963A Vision for the Future
A campus master plan is developed to support continued growth and modernization.
1964A Brief Identity Shift
The school is renamed Franklin D. Roosevelt School to encourage exchange with Lima, Peru.
1965Our Name, Our Legacy
The school adopts its lasting name: The American Cooperative School (ACS).
1968 Official Recognition
ACS receives Ministry of Education approval and international accreditation (SACS).
1970–1973Resilience in Uncertain Times
Despite political unrest, ACS remains committed to quality education and community strength.
1977Building Foundations
Mr. Herm Penland becomes Superintendent and launches major campus renovations.
1990s–2000sEnriching the ACS Experience
Focus expands beyond academics to include arts, community service, and student well-being.
TodayEntering a New Era
ACS continues to evolve with purpose, celebrating 70 years of excellence and preparing students for the future.
Mission
We are a supportive community committed to one another’s growth and well-being through transformative English-based American education. We empower learners to be a force for good in an ever-evolving world.
Vision
A recognized model of excellence and innovation.
Core Values
Character
Maintaining the highest standards of moral virtue, personal and academic integrity.
Curiosity
Continually seeking knowledge, truth, beauty, and a deeper understanding of the world around you.
Compassion
Giving of ourselves to one another, equally and without favor, so we all achieve our highest potential.
Community
Continually seeking knowledge, truth, beauty, and a deeper understanding of the world around you.
Courageous Leadership
Boldly inspiring others to model Character, Curiosity, Compassion, and Community, even in the face of adversity.
Guiding who we are, what we believe and where we're going
ACS Learning Principles
How We Learn at the American Cooperative School
At ACS, we believe learning is a personal, dynamic journey. These principles guide how we teach, how students grow, and how we shape meaningful educational experiences:
Every learner
is unique.
Students learn in different ways and at their own pace.
Learning starts with
what we already know.
Prior knowledge is the foundation for building new understanding.
Authentic, relevant
learning matters.
Students learn best when content connects to real-life challenges and personal meaning.
Emotional well-being
fuels learning.
A safe, supportive environment helps learning thrive — fear disrupts it.
Practice and feedback
drive growth.
Skill development depends on repetition and timely, constructive feedback.
Learners build their own understanding.
Knowledge is not simply received — it’s actively constructed.
Frequent reflection
boosts learning.
Self-checks and formative assessments help students remember and make sense of what they learn.
Memory
matters.
Deep learning happens when we move ideas from short-term to long-term memory.
Diverse collaboration
strengthens learning.
Communication, connection, and different perspectives enhance understanding.
How we learn shapes how we grow. These principles guide every step.
ACS Community Commitment
A School Built on Respect, Connection, and Shared Purpose
At the American Cooperative School, we are committed to building a strong, inclusive community where students, families, faculty, and staff grow together guided by our mission, vision, and core values.
Our Collaborative Community
We believe education is a shared journey. At ACS, students, staff, and families work in partnership to foster empowered, respectful, and engaged learners.
Model our core values and support each student’s growth and well-being.
Act as essential partners, contributing to a supportive learning environment.
Take ownership of their learning and lead with respect, contributing to both local and global communities.
Our Caring Community
We place well-being and belonging at the heart of our school. Strong relationships, respectful communication, and safety are essential to who we are.
All community members are expected to act with kindness and respect.
“As a community, we proactively educate our community about harassment, bullying, and discrimination”
Community member safety and well-being are our top priorities.
“We promptly address any threats to student welfare, adhering to our child protection policies”
We value open, honest, and respectful communication in all interactions.
Every community member is responsible for upholding ACS values through respectful engagement and participation.
All ACS community members share the responsibility of living these principles and holding each other accountable to sustain a safe, respectful, and thriving school environment.
